Peace Corps to Phase Out of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau

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WASHINGTON
- Peace Corps announced it is officially phasing out of the Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of Palau after many years of partnership.
The phase out is due to operational and infrastructure challenges in areas
ranging from vast geographic distances, medical care and transportation, and
recurring staff vacancies.

Peace
Corps will phase out its volunteer operations in FSM, where there are currently
25 volunteers serving in the education sector, by June 30, 2018. This timeline
will allow the volunteers to complete their primary assignments through the end
of the school year and transfer knowledge to their communities and counterparts.
Peace Corps remains fully committed to supporting the volunteers during this
time as they complete their service.

The
last class of volunteers departed Palau in July 2017, having completed their
assignments.

Peace
Corps is grateful to the people and governments of the Federated States of
Micronesia and the Republic of Palau for their partnership and friendship.
Since 1966, more than 4,300 volunteers have served in the region of Micronesia,
working to address the need for trained men and women in agriculture,
education, health, youth development, and community economic
development.

Long
after the last volunteer’s departure, the most essential component of these
nations’ cooperation with Peace Corps will remain in the fellowship
between volunteers and their host families, colleagues, and friends.
Returned volunteers' ongoing contributions as informal citizen ambassadors for
FSM and Palau will serve as a lasting legacy of mutual collaboration. Many
former volunteers have remained in these countries, continuing to contribute in
a personal capacity to the development of the region.

In
the Pacific, Peace Corps will continue to operate programs
in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad on behalf of the United States to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their Peace Corps experience, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 230,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.